Barcode Scanner Shutdown Indication Using Secondary Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld barcode scanners powered by lithium ion supercapacitor batteries must be completely shut down to prevent damage from over discharge, leading to user confusion as they appear dead or malfunctioning, necessitating a method to provide non-volatile shutdown indications without requiring power from the primary internal power source.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power source monitor and processor that detect the pre-determined discharge level, configuring an indicator to display a shutdown state, and using a secondary power source for the indicator circuit to provide indications, ensuring the scanner remains in a shutdown state until recharged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the internal power source is completely shut down to prevent damage from over discharge, then the battery safety is improved, but the user experience deteriorates because the scanner appears dead or malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a shutdown indication before the power source is completely depleted. The indicator circuit, powered by the secondary power source, alerts the user in advance that the primary power source is shutting down, allowing the user to prepare for recharging without encountering a suddenly non-functional device. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining battery safety through complete shutdown while improving user experience through advance notification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a secondary power source that specifically powers the indicator circuit. This intermediary power source acts as a mediator between the primary power source and the user interface, allowing the shutdown indication to be displayed without requiring the primary power source to remain active. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the scanner to be completely shut down for battery safety while still providing user-friendly indication through the secondary power source.
2Loss of information
If the primary internal power source is used to indicate shutdown state, then the indication is provided, but the available charge for normal operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the power source functionality into two separate power sources: a primary internal power source for normal scanner operations and a secondary internal power source specifically for powering the indicator circuit. This segmentation allows the shutdown indication to be provided without consuming charge from the primary power source, thus resolving the contradiction between providing information and preserving energy for operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by having the secondary power source serve the specific function of powering the indicator circuit, while the primary power source handles all scanner operations. This universal approach allows the system to provide shutdown indication without compromising the charge availability of the primary power source, as the indicator function is handled independently by the secondary power source.
3Loss of information
If a secondary power source is added for the indicator circuit, then the shutdown indication can be provided without using primary power, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the indicator circuit power requirement from the primary power source. The secondary power source is extracted as a dedicated component solely for powering the indicator, eliminating the need for the primary power source to maintain operation during shutdown indication. This resolves the contradiction by providing shutdown indication capability while managing device complexity through functional separation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing indications of shutdown states for handheld barcode scanners are disclosed herein. An example handheld barcode scanner includes a power source, a power source monitor, an indicator, and a processor disposed inside a housing. The power source monitor is configured to detect whether the power source has reached a pre-determined amount of discharge at which the internal power source is to be shut down to prevent damage. The processor configured to, when the internal power source has reached the pre-determined amount of discharge: configure the indicator to provide, while the internal power source is in the shutdown state, an indication that the internal power source is shutdown, and configure the internal power source into the shutdown state such that an image sensor, an indicia decoder, and the processor are de-energized.